One of things that has become more apparent over the past several years is that companies with robust compliance programs are generally better-run companies for several reasons. First and foremost is that robust compliance controls enhance financial controls so the companies are more efficient on the business side of things. The second is that a robust compliance regime can only succeed with clear management support, beginning at the top and all the way down through the organization.
The Man From FCPA was therefore intrigued when General Electric recently announced it was acquiring the energy services company Baker Hughes Inc. The reason is that both companies are recognized as having two of the very top compliance programs in the energy industry and indeed across the country. It certainly made sense from a business perspective that two such companies would combine and compliance would be at the forefront of this new entity.
